Wet Dream [2023 Re-Issue]: Deep Blue Marbled Vinyl LP Richard Wright (Pink Floyd)

Hugely influential Pink Floyd founder member and keyboard player Richard Wright’s debut solo album, ‘Wet Dream’, is to be reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1978 this time in deep blue transparent marbled. It will also be available on streaming platforms for the first time ever including a new Dolby Atmos mix, on CD and on Blu-ray which includes a 5.1 mix and never before released personal images and videos from around this period of his life. To be released on 28th July 2023 which would have been Richard’s 80th birthday – it will initially be made available on CD and all streaming platforms with the vinyl and blu-ray editions of the record following on September 29th 2023. 

Remixed by Steven Wilson, this reissue comes with brand new artwork that was commissioned and art-directed by Gala and Jamie Wright, Richard’s children and managers of his estate. As per the original release, the bi-fold sleeve folds out to extend the image and features the same vibrant colour palette. This time, the unidentified person in bright red shorts is swimming within deep blue waters of the sea rather than a pool and the image expands out to reveal a boat slightly out of their reach, referencing the nautical theme of the record. The image was taken by Costas Spathis, a photographer living and working in Greece, which is where the album was written and the graphic design is by Carl Glover. The vinyl version of the release will also come with a 12” print of the original artwork designed by Storm Thorgerson and photographed by Audrey Powell for Hipgnosis.

Upon rediscovering this record, it becomes hugely apparent how much of Richard’s DNA runs through Pink Floyd. His distinct rhythm patterns, song structure and style of play exudes throughout, shining a light on his unique talent and influence on modern music. 

When originally released, post Pink Floyd’s ‘Animals’ (1977) and shortly before ‘The Wall’ (1979), ‘Wet Dream’ was largely under-appreciated. Steven Wilson’s mix gives new life to the record demonstrating Wright’s brilliance. He wrote and produced the whole album himself and it was one of only three albums released outside of Pink Floyd-  ‘Broken China’, his second solo album from 1996 and ‘Identity’, released in 1983 under the guise of Zee, a duet with Dave Harris from Fashion.